After confirmation of his 27.7% stake in the club, Sir Jim Ratcliffe underlined how important it was for Manchester United to qualify for the Champions League.
The Red Devils kept their hopes alive with a 2-0 win against Everton on Saturday, which moved them to within eight points of Aston Villa in fourth.
Ratcliffe’s words were seen as clear message to Erik ten Hag, that only Champions League qualification would keep him in a job.
But Ratcliffe’s message, the BBC say, was more to do with the club’s perilous Financial Fair Play position.
Champions League football would give United far more financial headroom for INEOS to operate how they intend at the club.
There had been an expectation that Ten Hag would be sacked if Champions League football is not achieved.
By the irony is that it may be even more difficult to sack the Dutchman if United do miss out.
Sacking Ten Hag with a year left on his deal would cost the club around £12m, and with the club walking such a financial tightrope, that’s a high price to pay.
INEOS, who are already facing the prospect of paying up to £20m to prise Dan Ashworth out of Newcastle United, are currently restructuring the behind the scenes.
United need heavy investment in their squad, with a striker, central midfielder, centre-back and left-back required at minimum this summer.
Ten Hag could therefore be given a third season at Old Trafford, taking him to the end of his contract in 2025.
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